Evaluation of Self-Reported Stress Reduction from Ashwagandha and B Vitamin Supplementation Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Chronic stress and anxiety are linked to poor health outcomes that include depression, weight gain, hypertension, and even cardiovascular disease. Stress and anxiety continue to cause physical symptoms in 77% of individuals in America. Remedies to help alleviate stress and anxiety are needed. This study evaluated the benefits of ashwagandha and B vitamin supplementation on stress and anxiety reduction. Methods In this study, 40 women between the ages of 30 and 50 were recruited to evaluate the synergistic effects of ashwagandha and B vitamin supplementation, for four weeks, on stress and anxiety. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a method that allows for stress to be recorded in real time, allowing for individual changes to be monitored. The 60-item daily stress inventory was used to measure stress throughout the day via EMA. EMAs were randomly sent 5 times per day for 7 consecutive days at 3 different time points: before the start of the intervention, ten days after starting the intervention, and then the last 7 days of the intervention. Results Overall, in a pairwise comparisons analysis, the average perceived stress from reported stressors was statistically significantly decreased post-intervention (P = 0.044) when compared to pre-intervention EMA data. Additionally, in a mixed model analysis, 4-week supplementation statistically significantly reduced perceived feelings of reported “stress” (mean difference of −4.892; 95% CI: −10.00 to 0.217; P = 0.018), and increased sense of feeling “concentrated” (mean difference of 8.136; 95% CI: 0.650 to 15.623; P = 0.026) and “revitalized” (mean difference of 8.373; 95% CI: 1.868 to 14.878; P = 0.003) after 4 weeks. Conclusions This study provides evidence of stress reduction from ashwagandha and B vitamin supplementation. Future research should conduct a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of this supplement's effect on stress. Funding Sources This research was funded by the Food Sciences Corporation. Funder had no role in data collection, data analysis or interpretation, or writing of the abstract.